Injections and sarcomas

Has anyone's vet changed yearly vaccination sites to the cats tail instead of to the body? My vet just did, saying some shots are linked to sarcomas and that a tail can be amputated if needed but if the sarcoma is in the muscles in the body then there's nothing that can be done. I laud her forward thinking but wonder how serious or common it is to have a sarcoma at an injection site (and why).

Most Vets are now giving the injections in the legs versus between the shoulders, for this very reason.  I think giving it in the tail is a good idea, but would guess it's a little uncomfortable for the cat  

Vaccine related sarcoma's are still relatively rare, but DO happen on occasion, so this is a precautionary measure.  Perhaps it's happened to one of your Vets' patients ?

I'd say you are very fortunate to have a Vet who's obviously keeping up with the latest and most up-to-date info and protocols in feline medicine.

The protocol recommending vaccinating in the limbs as opposed to between the shoulders is now very old - it came out years ago - yet, cats continued to develop these cancers.

Two links for you...one, to answer some of your questions about injection site sarcomas: Vaccines for Cats - Dr. Lisa Pierson    The "how" in your question is answered well in that article by Dr. Pierson - and you'll find out which vaccines to avoid and why.

- and, about the tail vaccinations: Vet to Vet: Tail Vaccination in Cats

Now,

misterwhiskers said:

...how...common it is to have a sarcoma at an injection site

Click to expand...

My own suspicion is that it's FAR more common than the veterinary industries would want you to know about.....It's at least common enough that people affected by this have created a specialized online community to help each other deal with it: Vaccine Associated Sarcoma Support Group

Saw the video. My vet gave Robin the shot far far closer to his body than in the video, which was mainly at the far end of the tail.

Until recently she always gave them in the scruff. Interesting that most American vets have been doing them in the leg. Something I will need to specifically question every year.